Folding egg crate



F. HENDRICKS.

FOLDING EGG CRATE.

- APPLICATION FILED MAR-26,1920- RENEWED our. 20, 1921.

1,404,857, Patented Jan. 31, 1922.

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Application filed March 26, 1920, Serial No. 368,949. "Renewedlflctober 20, 1921; Serial No. 509,205.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK l-inrmnioxs, a citizen of the United States, residing at Jacksonville, in the county of Duval and State of Florida, have invented new and useful Improvements in Folding Egg Crates, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to shipping crates, particularly to crates especially adapted for the shipment of eggs or other like articles, and has for its object the'provision of an egg crate which may be folded so as to occupy but very little space in storage or in transportation, thereby economizing on the transportation charges when the crate is returned empty.

An important object is the provision of a folding crate of this character which is so constructed that the parts will be rigid and strong when the crate is set up for use, the parts being also readily foldable when desired.

An additional object is the provision of a device of this character which will be simple and inexpensive in manufacture, efficient in use, durable in service, and a general improvement in the art.

With the above and other objects and advantages in view the invention consists in the details of construction to be hereinafter more fully described and claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which Figure l is a front elevation of my crate in setup position,

Figure 2 is an end elevation,

Figure 3 is a rear elevation,

Figure 4 is a plan view,

Figure 5 is a cross sectional view,

Figure 6 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on the vertical plane,

Figure 7 is a plan view with the cover in open position, and p I Figure 8 is an elevation-showing the crate folded.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the numeral 10 designates the bottom of the crate which is formed of any suitable material and which is rectangular in shape, as shown. Secured upon the bottom at the underside thereof, are metal straps 11 having their ends formed with eyes 12 Within which are engaged rectangular open loops 13 which are also engaged within eyes 14: formed on metal straps '15 secured upon the front 16 of the plate.

ofthe sa'mesize and shape asithe ends 17 and 18 and which is formed of similar sections25 hingedlyconnected with each other, as shown at 26, and hingedly connected with the front and back, as shown at 2'?) It will be observed that the ends have their sections adapted to fold inwardly.

The bottom 10 is hingedly connected with the front as described, and has its free edge connected with the back 22 by means of studs 28 extending from the free edge of the bottom and engageable within notches 29 formedin latch members 30 pivoted on the back.

The cover is designated by the numeral 31 and is of the same size and shape as the bottom 10 and its cover is hingedly connected with the back 22, as shown at 32, by identically the same construction as the hingmg of the bottom onto the front.

In order that the top may be held in closed position, I provide a vertically ex-v tending rod 33 journaled'upon the inner faceof the front 16 and prevented from longitudinal movement by engagement of its laterally bent lower end 33 with a suitable bracket 34. The upper extremity. of the rod 33 is bent at right angles, as shown at 35, and the free edge of the cover is provided with a slot 36 for the passage of the bent end 35 which is subsequently turned into a position at right angles to its initial position to extend transversely of the slot and perform the functions of a turn-button. The set-up position of the crate is clearly illustrated in the drawing and it will be observed that a strong rectangular enclosure is provided which is especially adapted for the storage of eggs during transportation. When it is desired to fold the crate, as when returning the same empty or when storing it, it is merely necessary to move the bent end 35 of the rod 33 into a position registering with the slot 36, wherethe notches 29 will disengage the studs 38, whereupon the bottom will be free. The ends are then collapsed inwardly and the partition is also collapsed whereupon the front and back walls of the crate may be brought comparatively close together, after which the cover 31 is swung to lie against theouter side of the back 22 and the bottom is swung to lie against the outer side of the front 16; Any suitable means is provided for holding the crate in this collapsed position.

'From the foregoing description and a study of the drawings it will be apparent that I have thus provided a simply constructed egg crate which may be readily expanded or set up for use and which may be equally as easily and quickly collapsed for convenience in transportation or storage.

While I have shown and described the preferred embodiment of my invention it is of course to be understood that I reserve th right to make suchchanges in the form,

construction, and arrangement of parts as will not depart from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claim.

Having thus described my invention, 1 claim:

In a folding crate, a bottom, a back wall, end walls and a hinged top, means for holding said top in closed position comprising a rod disposed against the inner face t the front wall and having right angularly turned ends, guide staples for said rod, a bracket secured upon the front wall and engaging one bentend whereby to prevent longitudinal displacement of the rod, said top being formed with a slot through which the other bent end or the rod'm'ay be projected, and said other bent end being subsequently turnable to lie at right angles to the slot. r

In testimony whereof I afiix my si ature.

FRANK HENDR- GKS. 

